Off-road vehicle air intake system

ABSTRACT

An off-road vehicle has: a frame including a rollover protection structure; two front wheels operatively connected to the frame; two rear wheels operatively connected to the frame; at least one seat supported by the frame; an internal combustion engine supported by the frame, being disposed rearward of the at least one seat, and being operatively connected at least one of: the two rear wheels, and the two front wheels; an engine air intake system fluidly connected to the engine for supplying air to the engine; and an air intake conduit having a conduit inlet and a conduit outlet, the conduit outlet being fluidly connected to the engine air intake system for supplying air to the engine air intake system, the conduit inlet being disposed at least in part vertically higher than the rollover protection structure.

CROSS-REFERENCE

The present application claims priority to U.S. Provisional PatentApplication No. 63/352,400, filed Jun. 15, 2023, the entirety of whichis incorporated herein by reference.

FIELD OF TECHNOLOGY

The present technology relates to air intake systems for off-roadvehicles and off-road vehicles having such air intake systems.

BACKGROUND

There exists various types of vehicles used mainly in off-roadconditions. One such type is the side-by-side off-road vehicle (SSV).The name “side-by-side” refers to the seating arrangement of the vehiclein which the driver and a passenger are seated side-by-side. Someside-by-side off-road vehicles also have a second row of seats toaccommodate one or more additional passengers. These vehicles typicallyhave an open cockpit, a roll cage and a steering wheel.

As would be understood, in order to operate, the internal combustionengine of a SSV needs to be supplied with air. This air needs to be asfree as possible of dust, debris and water, otherwise the engine willnot operate as efficiently as it could and there is also a risk ofdamaging the engine. Since SSVs operate in off-road conditions, theenvironment in which they operate tends to be dustier, to have moredebris and to be wetter than the environment in which on-road vehiclestypically operate. The off-road environment therefore makes the desiredsupply of fresh air to the engine difficult.

Also, many components of the SSV can get hot during operation. As such,it is desirable to cool these components. One way of cooling thesecomponents is to supply air to these components. Another way of coolingthese components is to circulate a liquid over these components. Thisliquid then needs to be cooled with a heat exchanger over which airflows to improve cooling. However, the air flowing over the componentsto be air cooled (i.e. heat exchangers or other components to be aircooled) should also be as free as possible of dust, debris and water. Asdiscussed above, the off-road environment in which SSVs operate makesthis difficult.

Furthermore, side-by-side off-road vehicles are generally narrower andshorter than on-road vehicles such as cars. As such, there is less spaceavailable to dispose the various components that would be needed tosupply clean air to the engine and to the components that would beneeded to supply clean air to the CVT.

As mentioned above, side-by-side off-road vehicles are typically opencockpit vehicles, but owners of such vehicles sometimes decide to add awindshield to protect them from wind and dust. However, the protectionfrom the wind provided by the windshield can also negatively affect thesupply of air to an air intake system of the vehicle.

Thus there is a desire for an arrangement of components for supplyingair to the engine and other components of an off-road vehicle that issuitable for the operating conditions and limited overall dimensions ofside-by-side off-road vehicles, and that addresses the issues associatedwith air supply when a windshield is provided.

SUMMARY

It is an object of the present technology to ameliorate at least some ofthe inconveniences present in the prior art.

According to one aspect of the present technology, there is provided anoff-road vehicle having: a frame including a rollover protectionstructure; two front wheels operatively connected to the frame; two rearwheels operatively connected to the frame; at least one seat supportedby the frame; an internal combustion engine supported by the frame,being disposed rearward of the at least one seat, and being operativelyconnected at least one of: the two rear wheels, and the two frontwheels; an engine air intake system fluidly connected to the engine forsupplying air to the engine; and an air intake conduit having a conduitinlet and a conduit outlet, the conduit outlet being fluidly connectedto the engine air intake system for supplying air to the engine airintake system, the conduit inlet being disposed at least in partvertically higher than the rollover protection structure.

According to some embodiments of the present technology, the conduitinlet faces generally forwardly.

According to some embodiments of the present technology, the conduitinlet is disposed forward of a backrest of the at least one seat.

According to some embodiments of the present technology, the air intakeconduit is generally L-shaped. A first portion of the air intake conduitextends generally horizontally rearward from the conduit inlet. A secondportion of the air conduit extend generally upward from the conduitoutlet.

According to some embodiments of the present technology, the secondportion is disposed at least in part rearward of the backrest of the atleast one seat.

According to some embodiments of the present technology, a windshield isconnected to the frame forward of the at least one seat.

According to some embodiments of the present technology, a roof isconnected to the rollover protection structure.

According to some embodiments of the present technology, a portion ofthe air intake conduit is vertically higher than the roof.

According to some embodiments of the present technology, the roofdefines a bottom of a section of the air intake conduit comprising theportion of the air intake conduit that is vertically higher than theroof.

According to some embodiments of the present technology, a rear cargoplatform connected to the frame and being disposed rearward of the atleast one seat. The air intake conduit is disposed forward of the rearcargo platform.

According to some embodiments of the present technology, a plenum isdisposed rearward of the at least one seat. An inlet of the engine airintake system is disposed in the plenum for supplying air from theplenum to the engine. The conduit outlet is fluidly connected to theplenum for supplying air to the engine air intake system.

According to some embodiments of the present technology, the conduitoutlet is disposed above the plenum.

According to some embodiments of the present technology, a heatexchanger is supported by the frame. An air deflector is disposed atleast in part in the plenum. A portion of air supplied from the conduitoutlet to the plenum is deflected by the air deflector toward the heatexchanger

According to some embodiments of the present technology, the plenum islaterally centered on the vehicle.

According to some embodiments of the present technology, the engine isdisposed under the plenum.

According to some embodiments of the present technology, the at leastone seat is two seats disposed side-by-side. Each of the two seats has aheadrest. The air intake conduit is disposed laterally between theheadrests.

For purposes of this application, terms related to spatial orientationsuch as forwardly, rearward, upwardly, downwardly, left, and right, areas they would normally be understood by a driver of the vehicle sittingthereon in a normal riding position. Terms related to spatialorientation when describing or referring to components or sub-assembliesof the vehicle, separately from the vehicle should be understood as theywould be understood when these components or sub-assemblies are mountedto the vehicle, unless specified otherwise in this application. In theevent of a discrepancy between an explanation in the present applicationand an explanation in a document incorporated herein by reference, theexplanation in the present application takes precedence.

Embodiments of the present technology each have at least one of theabove-mentioned object and/or aspects, but do not necessarily have allof them. It should be understood that some aspects of the presenttechnology that have resulted from attempting to attain theabove-mentioned object may not satisfy this object and/or may satisfyother objects not specifically recited herein.

Additional and/or alternative features, aspects and advantages ofembodiments of the present technology will become apparent from thefollowing description, the accompanying drawings and the appendedclaims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

For a better understanding of the present technology, as well as otheraspects and further features thereof, reference is made to the followingdescription which is to be used in conjunction with the accompanyingdrawings, where:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view taken from a rear, left side of aside-by-side off-road vehicle;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view taken from a front, left side of a portionof an air intake system, a cargo platform and a wall separating acockpit area from an internal combustion engine of the vehicle of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a top, plan view of the components of FIG. 2 ;

FIG. 4 is a bottom plan view of the components of FIG. 2 ;

FIG. 5 is perspective view taken from a rear, right side of thecomponents of FIG. 2 in a partially exploded configuration;

FIG. 6 is a top plan view of the components of FIG. 2 with a scoop andan intercooler removed;

FIG. 7 is a longitudinal cross-section of the components of FIG. 2 takenalong a line 7-7 of FIG. 3 ;

FIG. 8 is a lateral cross-section of the components of FIG. 2 ;

FIG. 9 is a perspective view taken from a front, left side of a lateralcross-section of the components of FIG. 2 ;

FIG. 10 is a right side elevation view of the components of FIG. 2 , apower pack and an engine radiator of the vehicle of FIG. 1 ;

FIG. 11 is a longitudinal cross-section of the components of FIG. 10 ,with the engine radiator removed;

FIG. 12 is a perspective view taken from a front, left side of thevehicle of FIG. 1 provided with a windshield and an additional airintake conduit;

FIG. 13 is a perspective view taken from a rear, right side of thevehicle of FIG. 12 ;

FIG. 14 is a perspective view taken from a rear, left side of thevehicle of FIG. 12 with the air intake conduit shown removed from thevehicle;

FIG. 15 is a perspective view taken from a bottom, front, left side ofthe air intake conduit of the vehicle of FIG. 12 ;

FIG. 16 is perspective view taken from a top, front, left side of alongitudinal cross-section of the air intake conduit of FIG. 15 ;

FIG. 17 is a perspective view taken from a front, left side of thewindshield and a front portion of a roof of the vehicle of FIG. 12 ,with the windshield shown in a lowered position;

FIG. 18 is a perspective view taken from a front, left side of thevehicle of FIG. 12 with the windshield in a raised position;

FIG. 19 is a front elevation view of the vehicle of claim 18;

FIG. 20 is a longitudinal cross-section of an upper portion of thevehicle of FIG. 18 ;

FIG. 21 is a perspective view taken from a front, left side of a partiallongitudinal cross-section of the windshield and the roof of the vehicleof FIG. 18 with the windshield in the raised position; and

FIG. 22 is a perspective view taken from a bottom, front, left side ofan alternative embodiment of an air intake conduit of the vehicle ofFIG. 15 .

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The present technology will be described with respect to a four-wheeloff-road vehicle having two side-by-side seats 24, 26 and a steeringwheel 34. However, it is contemplated that some aspects of the presenttechnology may apply to other types of vehicles such as, but not limitedto, off-road vehicles having more or less than four wheels.

The general features of the off-road vehicle 10 will be described withrespect to FIGS. 1, 12 to 14, 18 and 19 . The vehicle 10 has a frame 12,two front wheels 14 connected to a front of the frame 12 by frontsuspension assemblies 16 and two rear wheels 18 connected to the frame12 by rear suspension assemblies 20.

The frame 12 defines a central cockpit area 22 inside which are disposeda driver seat 24 and a passenger seat 26. The seats 24, 26 are disposedside-by-side. In the present embodiment, the driver seat 24 is disposedon the left side of the vehicle 10 and the passenger seat 26 is disposedon the right side of the vehicle 10. However, it is contemplated thatthe driver seat 24 could be disposed on the right side of the vehicle 10and that the passenger seat 26 could be disposed on the left side of thevehicle 10. Each seat 24, 26 has a seat bottom 28 (FIG. 18 ), a backrest30 and a headrest 32. It is contemplated that in some embodiments, theseats 24, 26 could be replaced by a bench seat with two or more seatingpositions or by other types of seats.

A steering wheel 34 is disposed in front of the driver seat 24. Thesteering wheel 34 is used to turn the front wheels 14 to steer thevehicle 10. Various displays and gauges 36 are provided in the cockpitarea 22 to provide information to the driver regarding the operatingconditions of the vehicle 10. Examples of displays and gauges 36include, but are not limited to, a speedometer, a tachometer, a fuelgauge, a transmission position display, and an oil temperature gauge.

As can be seen in FIG. 13 , an internal combustion engine 38 isconnected to and supported by the frame 12 in a rear portion of thevehicle 10. The engine 38 is disposed rearward of the seat 24, 26. Inthe present embodiment, the engine 38 is an inline, three-cylinder,four-stroke engine. It is contemplate that other types of internalcombustion engines could be used such as, but not limited to, engineshaving more or less cylinders, V-type engines, two-stroke engines anddiesel engines. As best see in FIGS. 10 and 11 , the engine 38 isoperatively connected to a dual-clutch transmission (DCT) 40 disposedbehind the engine 38. It is contemplated that in other embodiments,other types of automatic, semi-automatic or manual transmissions couldbe used instead to the DCT 40. The DCT 40 is operatively connected to atransaxle 50 (FIGS. 10 and 11 ) to transmit torque from the engine 38 tothe transaxle 50. The transaxle 50 is disposed behind the DCT 40. Thetransaxle 50 is operatively connected to the rear wheels 18 to propelthe vehicle 10. The DCT 40 is also operatively connected to a frontdifferential (not shown). The front differential is operativelyconnected to the front wheels 14 to propel the vehicle 10. A fuel tank(not shown) is suspended from the frame 12 in front of the passengerseat 26 and stores the fuel to be used by the engine 38. In someembodiments, the vehicle 10 has an all-wheel drive mode where the engine38 drives all the wheels 14, 18 and a two-wheel drive mode where theengine 38 drives only the rear wheels 18. It is contemplated that insome embodiments, the engine 38 could drive only the front wheels 14 oronly the rear wheels 18.

Turning back to FIGS. 1, 12 to 14, 18 and 19 , body panels of thevehicle 10 will be described. The body panels are connected to the frame12. The panels help protect the internal components of the vehicle 10and provide some of the aesthetic features of the vehicle 10. Frontpanels 52 are connected to a front of the frame 12. The front panels 52are disposed forward of the front suspension assemblies 16 and laterallybetween the front wheels 14. The front panels 52 define two aperturesinside which the headlights 54 of the vehicle 10 are disposed. A cover56 extends generally horizontally reward from a top of the front panels52. The cover 56 defines an aperture 58 through which tops of the frontsuspension assemblies 16 protrude. Side panels extend along the sides ofthe frame 12 Two of the side panels 60 define apertures at the rearthereof to receive the brake lights 62 of the vehicle 10. It iscontemplated that the brake lights 62 could be replaced with reflectorsor that reflectors could be provided in addition to the brake lights 62.

On each side of the vehicle 10, the side panels 60 define a passagethrough which a driver (or passenger depending on the side of thevehicle 10) can enter or exit the vehicle 10. Each side of the vehicle10 is provided with a door 64 that selectively closes the correspondingpassage. It is contemplated that the doors 64 could be omitted.

As seen in FIG. 1 , at the rear of the vehicle 10, the side panels 60define a cargo space 66 therebetween behind the seats 24, 26. The cargospace 66 has a rear cargo platform 68 extending horizontally between theside panels 60 and being connected to the frame 12.

A separation wall 70 (see FIGS. 2 and 10 for example) is connected tothe frame 12, extends laterally and is disposed longitudinally betweenthe seats 24, 26 and the rear cargo platform 68. The separation wall 70is also disposed longitudinally between the seats 24, 25 and the engine38. As such, the separation wall 70 separates the cockpit area 22 fromthe engine 38.

The frame 12 includes a rollover protection structure (ROPS) 72, alsoknown as a roll cage. The ROPS 72 is disposed over the cockpit area 22.The ROPS 72 is made of a plurality of hollow steel tubes, but othermaterials are contemplated. In the present embodiment, a roof 74 isconnected to the top of the ROPS 72 to provide shade to the passengersoccupying the cockpit area 22 and to protect them from the elements suchas rain. The roof 74 is a rigid roof, but it is contemplated that insome embodiment, the roof 74 could be made of flexible material such afabric. It is contemplated that in some embodiments, the roof 74 couldbe omitted.

Turning now to FIG. 11 , an engine exhaust system of the vehicle 10 willbe described. Exhaust gases from the combustion chambers of the engine38 enter the engine exhaust system via an exhaust manifold (not shown)connected to the cylinders of the engine 38. From the exhaust manifold,the exhaust gases flow to the turbocharger 80 to drive a turbine of theturbocharger 80. From the turbocharger 80, the exhaust gases flow in anexhaust pipe 82 that extends rearward. From the exhaust pipe 82, theexhaust gases flow rearward and upward through an expansion chamber 84.It is contemplated that the expansion chamber 84 could house a catalyticconverter. From the expansion chamber 84, the exhaust gases flow into amuffler 86 extending laterally and being disposed below the rear cargoplatform 68. From the muffler 86, the exhaust gases flow in an exhaustpipe 88 extending from the rear side of the muffler 86. The exhaust pipe88 is laterally centered on the vehicle 10. The exhaust pipe 88 definesa rearward facing exhaust outlet 90 through which the exhaust gases flowto the atmosphere. The muffler 86 is connected to the transaxle 50 viabrackets 92.

Turning now to FIGS. 2 to 11 , an air intake system of the vehicle 10will be described. The air intake system includes a plenum 100 and anengine air intake system 102. The plenum 100 defines a volume whichreceives air from the atmosphere and from which air is supplied tovarious components of the vehicle 10 as will be described in more detailbelow.

In the present embodiment, the plenum 100 disposed rearward of the seats24, 26 and is laterally centered on the vehicle 10. As can be seen inFIGS. 10 and 11 , the engine 38 disposed below the plenum 100. As such,the plenum 100 is vertically higher than the engine 38. Most of theplenum 100 is also vertically higher than the rear cargo platform 68.

A plenum air intake 104 for supplies air from the atmosphere to theplenum 100. The plenum air intake 104 includes a bezel 106, a grille 108and a scoop 110. The bezel 106 defines an inlet 112 of the of the plenumair intake 104. The grille 108 is disposed in the inlet 112, inside thebezel 106. The grille 108 prevents large debris from entering the plenum100. The scoop 110 is disposed above the plenum 100 for redirecting airentering the inlet 112 generally downward such that it is supplied tothe plenum 100 via the top of the plenum 100.

In the present embodiment, the inlet 112 of the plenum air intake 104faces generally forward. The plenum air intake 104 is laterally centeredon the vehicle 10. As can be seen in FIG. 19 , the plenum air intake 104is disposed in part laterally between the headrests 32 of the seats 24,26. The inlet 112 of the plenum air intake 104 is disposed verticallybetween than the cover 56 and the roof 74 and laterally between theheadrests 32 of the seats 24, 26 such that air flowing through thecockpit area 22 can flow into the plenum 110 via the plenum 100. Aswould be understood, when the vehicle 10 is moving forward, the forwardmotion of the vehicle 10 causes air to be rammed into the plenum airintake 104.

As best seen in FIGS. 5 to 9 , the plenum 100 has left and right plenumwalls 114. A front of the plenum 100 is defined by the wall 70. A rearof the plenum 100 is defined by a rear plenum wall 116 and by a frontwall 118 of the rear cargo platform 68. The plenum walls 114, 116include acoustic dampening material. A cowl 120 is disposed over theleft and right plenum walls 114, the rear plenum wall 116 and the frontwall 118 of the rear cargo platform 68 to make the plenum 100 moreaesthetically pleasing. A heat exchanger 122 that is supported by theframe 12 defines a bottom of the plenum 100. It is contemplated that theheat exchanger 122 could alternatively define another side of the plenum100. Air from the plenum 100 flows over the heat exchanger 122 to cool avehicle fluid flowing through the heat exchanger 122. The heat exchanger122 will be described in more detail below. An L-shaped bracket 124connect the rear of the heat exchanger 122 to a front of the rear cargoplatform 68. The L-shaped bracket 124 defines two apertures 126. Anotherheat exchanger 128 is supported by the frame 12 below the rear cargoplatform 68 and behind the heat exchanger 122. More specifically, theheat exchanger 128 is connected at an angle between the rear cargoplatform 68 and the heat exchanger 122. Air from the plenum 100 flowsthrough the apertures 126 and then over the heat exchanger 128 to cool avehicle fluid flowing through the heat exchanger 128. The heat exchanger128 will be described in more detail below.

The engine air intake system 102 is fluidly connected to the engine 38to supply air to the engine 38. More specifically, an inlet 130 of theengine air intake system 102 is disposed in the plenum 100 for supplyingair from the plenum 100 to the engine 38. As best seen in FIGS. 5 to 7 ,the inlet 130 of the engine air intake system 102 faces generallyrearward, downward and rightward. The inlet 130 is defined by a conduit132. From the plenum 100, air flows into the conduit 132 which extendsthrough the left plenum wall 114 and then downward and forward to enterthrough a top portion of an air filter housing 134 near a right endthereof as best seen in FIG. 8 . The air filter housing 134 is generallycylindrical and contains an air filter 136 (shown in FIG. 8 ). The airfilter housing 134 is rigidly connected to the wall 70. In someembodiments, it is contemplated that the conduit 132 could extendthrough the right plenum wall 114.

As best seen in FIG. 8 , a conduit 138 extends right from a right endwall of the air filter housing 134. The right end of the conduit 134 isconnected to a compressor side of the turbocharger 80 (FIG. 11 ) suchthat air can flow from the filter housing 134 to the turbocharger 80.The turbocharger 80 is disposed behind the cylinders of the engine 38.As explained above, the exhaust gases are supplied from the engine 38 topower a turbine of the turbocharger 80 that compresses the air suppliedfrom the conduit 138 to the turbocharger 80. From the turbochargercompressed air enters a pipe 140 that extends rearward, upward andleftward and connects to a left side of the heat exchanger 122. In thepresent embodiment, the heat exchanger 122 is an intercooler 122 and thevehicle fluid it cools is the compressed air supplied from theturbocharger 80. The intercooler 122 includes passages for the flow ofair coming from the pipe 140 for cooling the air that has previouslybeen heated in the turbocharger 80. Two intercooler fans 142 areconnected next to the intercooler 122, more specifically under theintercooler 122. The intercooler fans 142 draw air from the plenum 100through the intercooler 122 based on conditions related at least in parton a position of a throttle valve (not shown) of a throttle body 144(FIG. 10 ) and on engine speed. For example, the intercooler fans 142may operate when the vehicle 10 is at rest or operating at low speed asthe flow of air entering the plenum air intake 104 into the plenum 100may be insufficient. As can be seen in FIG. 11 , the intercooler fans142 are disposed above the engine 38 and the turbocharger 80, such thatair drawn by the intercooler fans 142 flows over the engine 38 and theturbocharger 80. As such, the intercooler fans 142 can be operated basedon a temperature of the engine 38 and/or the turbocharger 80 to air coolthese components independently of the requirements of the intercooler122.

From the intercooler 122, air flows in a pipe 146 disposed on a rightend of the intercooler 122 (see FIG. 5 ). The pipe 146 extends generallyrearward, downward and leftward. From the pipe 146, air enters thethrottle body 144 which includes a throttle valve (not shown) to controlthe flow of air to the engine 38. From the throttle body 144, the airenters an engine air intake plenum (not shown) extending next to thecylinders of the engine 38. From the engine air intake plenum, the airis supplied to the air intake ports of the engine 38.

With reference to FIGS. 4 to 11 , in the present embodiment, the heatexchanger 128 forms part of a lubricant cooler. The heat exchanger 128cools a coolant, in this embodiment a water/glycol mixture, that is usedto cool transmission lubricant lubricating the transmission 50. Morespecifically, the heat exchanger 128 is a radiator 128, but other typesof heat exchangers are contemplated. The water/glycol mixture flowsbetween the transmission 50 and the radiator 128 via hoses 148 and iscirculated by a pump (not shown). The radiator 128 includes passages forthe flow of water/glycol mixture coming from the transmission 50 forcooling the water/glycol mixture. Two cooler fans 150 are connected nextto the radiator 128, more specifically under the radiator 128. Thecooler fans 150 draw air from the plenum 100 through the radiator 128based on conditions related at least in part on a position of thethrottle valve of the throttle body 144 and on engine speed. Forexample, the cooler fans 150 may operate when the vehicle 10 is at restor operating at low speed as the flow of air entering the plenum airintake 104 into the plenum 100 may be insufficient. As can be seen inFIG. 11 , the cooler fans 150 are oriented such that air drawn by thecooler fans 150 flows over the engine exhaust system, and morespecifically over the muffler 86. As such, the cooler fans 150 can beoperated based on a temperature of the muffler 86 and/or of the exhaustgases to air cool the muffler 86 and other components of the engineexhaust system independently of the requirements of the radiator 128.

As can be seen in FIG. 10 , a heat exchanger 152, and more specificallya radiator 152, is used to cool engine coolant. The radiator 152 isdisposed at a front of the vehicle 10. The radiator 152 is disposedbehind the front panels 52 to receive air flowing therethrough. Coolantflows between the engine 38 and the radiator 152 via hoses 154 and iscirculated by a pump (not shown). The radiator 152 includes passages forthe flow of coolant coming from the engine 38 for cooling the coolant. Acoolant cooler fan 156 is connected behind the radiator 152. The coolantcooler fan 156 draws air through the radiator 152 based on conditionsrelated at least in part on a position of the throttle valve of thethrottle body 144 and on engine speed.

It is contemplated that the heat exchangers 122, 128, 152 could be of adifferent type than the ones described above and/or that they could beused to cool a different vehicle fluid. For example, it is contemplatedthat the heat exchanger 122 could be used to cool engine coolant, theheat exchanger 128 could be used to cool the compressed air suppliedfrom the turbocharger and the heat exchanger 152 could be used to cooltransmission lubricant. The types of the heat exchangers 122, 128, 152and their dimensions are determined at least in part by their requiredthermal performance and the type of vehicle fluid they cool. In analternative embodiment, it is contemplated that the radiator 152 definesone of the plenum side walls 114 such that air from the plenum 100 flowsover the radiator 152 to cool the engine coolant. In another alternativeembodiment, the dimension of the intercooler 122 is reduced and theintercooler 122 and the radiator 152 are disposed side-by-side so as todefine a bottom of the plenum 100.

Turning now to FIGS. 12 to 16 , it can be seen that the vehicle 10 hasbeen provided with a windshield 200 forward of the seats 24, 26. Thewindshield 200 is connected to the frame 12. More specifically, thewindshield 200 is connected to the ROPS 72 via the roof 74 as will bedescribed in more detail below. The windshield 200 protects occupants ofthe seats 24, 26 from wind and dust. However, the protection from thewind provided by the windshield 200 also reduces the supply of air tothe plenum air intake 104. Although the engine 38 can still operateadequately when the windshield 200 is provided, in order to supply moreair to the engine 38 and the heat exchangers 122, 128, the plenum airintake 104 is modified by providing it with an air intake conduit 202which has a conduit inlet 204 located at a position that is verticallyhigher than the ROPS 72 and the roof 74 so as to be unobstructed by thewindshield 200.

In the present embodiment, the plenum air intake 104 is modified byremoving the scoop 110 and replacing is with an adapter 206. The adapter206 has the same footprint as the scoop 110, and as such can connect tothe bezel 106 and to the top of the plenum 100 in a similar manner. Theadapter 206 has an aperture on a top thereof to which a lower end of theair intake conduit 202 connects. As such, a conduit outlet 208 of theair intake conduit 202 is disposed above the plenum 100 and is fluidlyconnected to the plenum 100 such that the air intake conduit 202 cansupply air to the plenum 100. A plate 210 (FIGS. 15, 16 ) is providedbehind the grille 108 of the plenum air intake 104 to block the inlet112 of the plenum air intake 112 to prevent air entering the plenum 100via the air intake conduit 202 from escaping via the inlet 112. An airdeflector 212 (FIGS. 15, 16 ) is also provided in the plenum 100 belowthe conduit outlet 208. The air deflector 212 is angled such that aportion of air supplied from the conduit outlet 208 to the plenum 100 isdeflected by the air deflector 212 toward the apertures 126 in theplenum 100, and therefore toward the heat exchanger 128. As can be seenin FIG. 16 , the air deflector 212 is fastened to the adapter.

As can be seen, the air intake conduit 202 is laterally centered on thevehicle 10 and is disposed laterally between the headrests 32 of theseats 24, 26. The air intake conduit 202 is generally L-shaped. Theconduit inlet 204 faces generally forward and is disposed forward of thebackrests 30 of the seats 24, 26 near a front of the roof 74. It iscontemplated that the conduit inlet 204 could be disposed elsewhere,including positions that are to the left or right of the lateral centerof the vehicle 10. The air intake conduit 202 has a portion 214 thatextends generally horizontally rearward from the conduit inlet 204 abovethe roof 74. The air intake conduit 202 also has a portion 216 thatextends generally upward from the conduit outlet 208 to connect to therear end of the portion 214. As can be seen in FIGS. 13 and 20 , theportion 216 of the air intake conduit 202 is disposed rearward of thebackrests 30 of the seats 24, 26 and forward of the rear cargo platform68.

As can be seen in FIGS. 15 and 16 , the section of the air conduit 202that includes the portion 214 is closed on the top, left and right sidesby a channel 218 that is open at the bottom. The channel 218 rests onthe roof 74 such that the bottom of this section is defined by the roof74. In an embodiment of the vehicle 10 where the vehicle 10 is notprovided by a roof 74, the air intake conduit 202 is replaced with anair intake conduit 220 (FIG. 22 ) where the channel 218 is replaced witha duct 222 that is closed on the top, bottom, left and right sides. Theduct 222 is supported by the ROPS 72. It is contemplated that an airintake conduit similar to the air intake conduit 220 could be used withthe vehicle 10 having the roof 74. In such an embodiment, the duct 222rests on the roof 74.

It is contemplated that the air intake conduit 202 or 220 could beprovided on the vehicle 10 even when the windshield 200 is not provided.

Turning now to FIGS. 12 and 17 to 21 , a windshield assembly 250 will bedescribed in more detail. The windshield assembly 250 includes thewindshield 200, left and right hinges 252 and a gas cylinder 254.

The windshield 200 is made from a transparent material such as glass orpolycarbonate for example. The windshield 200 is planar, but it iscontemplated that it could be curved.

The left and right hinges 252 are connected to the a top portion of thewindshield 200. The hinges 252 pivotally connect the windshield 200 to afront of the roof 74. As such, the windshield 200 is pivotally connectedto the ROPS 72 via the roof 74 and the hinges 252. The hinges 252 allowthe windshield 200 to pivot between a lowered position, shown in FIGS.12 and 17 , and a raised position, shown in FIGS. 18 to 21 . In thelowered position, a top edge 256 of the windshield 200 is verticallyhigher than a lower edge 258 of the windshield 200. In the raisedposition, the lower edge 258 of the windshield 200 is vertically higherthan the top edge 256 of the windshield 200. It is contemplated that inother embodiments, instead of pivoting, the windshield 200 could move insome other manner between a lowered and raised position, for example bytranslating. It is also contemplated that in some embodiments, thewindshield 200 could not be moveable, but could still be removable.

The gas cylinder 254 is pivotally connected between the windshield 200and the ROPS 72 on a left side of the windshield 200. The gas cylinder254 supports the windshield in the raised position. It is contemplatedthat the gas cylinder 254 could be provided on a right side of thewindshield 200, or that gas cylinders 254 could be provided on bothsides of the windshield 200. It is contemplated that in someembodiments, the gas cylinder 254 could be replaced by, or form part of,a windshield power actuator which allows the user of the vehicle 10 toraise and lower the windshield 200 using buttons, a switch, or someother input device provided in the cockpit area 22. In such anembodiment, the windshield 200 could have other positions that areintermediate the illustrated raised and lowered positions.

As best seen in FIG. 20 , when the windshield 200 is the raisedposition, the lower edge 258 of the windshield 200 is higher than theconduit inlet 204 of the air intake conduit 202. As such, the windshield200 interferes with the flow of air to the conduit inlet 204 when thevehicle 10 is moving forward. However, in order to allow air to besupplied to the conduit inlet 204 when the windshield 200 is in theraised position, the windshield 200 defines a windshield recess 260 inits top edge 256. As can be seen in FIG. 20 , in the raised position ofthe windshield 200, an air passage 262 is defined by the roof 74 and thewindshield recess 260, and air flows through the air passage 262 to besupplied to the conduit inlet 204 as illustrated by arrows 264.

The windshield recess 260 is laterally centered on the windshield 200,and therefore on the vehicle 10. As such, the windshield recess 260 isalso laterally aligned with the conduit inlet 204 and is disposedlaterally between the left and right hinges 252. It is contemplated thatthe windshield recess 260 could have another position determined atleast in part by the position of the conduit inlet 204. As can be seenin FIG. 20 , in the raised position of the windshield 200, thewindshield recess 260 is vertically lower than the conduit inlet 204.

The roof 74 has a portion 266 that protrudes from a front thereof. Thisportion 266 has a shape and size that are similarly to those of thewindshield recess 260. When the windshield 200 is in the loweredposition, the portion 266 of the roof 74 is received in the windshieldrecess 260 as can be seen in FIG. 17 . As such, the portion 266 of theroof 74 prevents air from passing through the windshield recess 266 intothe cockpit area 22 when the windshield is in the lowered position. Theportion 266 also prevents the passage of dust, debris, rain and/or snow.It is contemplated that the portion 266 would not have to be received inthe windshield recess 260, but could instead be aligned with thewindshield recess 160 and abut the back of the windshield 200 to preventthe passage of air through the windshield recess 260 when the windshield200 is in the lowered position. It is contemplated that the portion 266of the roof 74 could be omitted and that another portion of the vehicle10 could block the passage of air through the windshield recess 260 whenthe windshield 200 is in the lowered position.

The windshield recess 260 is configured and sized so as to permit asufficient flow of air to the conduit inlet 204 when the vehicle 10 ismoving forward with the windshield 200 in the raised position. In thepresent embodiment, the windshield recess 260 has left and right slopingsides that taper from an open end of the windshield recess 260 to theclosed end of the windshield recess 260, but other shapes arecontemplated. The windshield recess 260 is at least as wide and at leastas high as the conduit inlet 204, but it is contemplated that in someembodiments the windshield recess 260 could be narrower and/or shorterthan the conduit inlet 204. With reference to FIG. 17 , in the presentembodiment a maximum width W₁ of the windshield recess 260 is greaterthan a third of a maximum width W2 of the windshield 200 and a height Hof the windshield recess 260 is less than a quarter of the maximum widthW₁ of the windshield recess 260. Other dimensions of the windshieldrecess 260 are contemplated. It is contemplated that the singlewindshield recess 260 could be replaced by a plurality of smallerwindshield recesses. It is also contemplated that the windshield recess260 could be replaced by one or more windshield apertures in thewindshield 200. It is also contemplated that the windshield recess 260could be replaced by a combination of smaller windshield recesses andwindshield apertures.

Modifications and improvements to the above-described embodiments of thepresent technology may become apparent to those skilled in the art. Theforegoing description is intended to be exemplary rather than limiting.The scope of the present technology is therefore intended to be limitedsolely by the scope of the appended claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. An off-road vehicle comprising: a frame includinga rollover protection structure; two front wheels operatively connectedto the frame; two rear wheels operatively connected to the frame; atleast one seat supported by the frame; an internal combustion enginesupported by the frame, being disposed rearward of the at least oneseat, and being operatively connected at least one of: the two rearwheels; and the two front wheels; an engine air intake system fluidlyconnected to the engine for supplying air to the engine; and an airintake conduit having a conduit inlet and a conduit outlet, the conduitoutlet being fluidly connected to the engine air intake system forsupplying air to the engine air intake system, the conduit inlet beingdisposed at least in part vertically higher than the rollover protectionstructure.
 2. The vehicle of claim 1, wherein the conduit inlet facesgenerally forwardly.
 3. The vehicle of claim 2, wherein the conduitinlet is disposed forward of a backrest of the at least one seat.
 4. Thevehicle of claim 3, wherein: the air intake conduit is generallyL-shaped, a first portion of the air intake conduit extends generallyhorizontally rearward from the conduit inlet; and a second portion ofthe air conduit extend generally upward from the conduit outlet.
 5. Thevehicle of claim 4, wherein the second portion is disposed at least inpart rearward of the backrest of the at least one seat.
 6. The vehicleof claim 1, further comprising a windshield connected to the frameforward of the at least one seat.
 7. The vehicle of claim 1, furthercomprising a roof connected to the rollover protection structure.
 8. Thevehicle of claim 7, wherein a portion of the air intake conduit isvertically higher than the roof.
 9. The vehicle of claim 8, wherein theroof defines a bottom of a section of the air intake conduit comprisingthe portion of the air intake conduit that is vertically higher than theroof.
 10. The vehicle of claim 1, further comprising a rear cargoplatform connected to the frame and being disposed rearward of the atleast one seat; wherein the air intake conduit is disposed forward ofthe rear cargo platform.
 11. The vehicle of claim 1, further comprisinga plenum disposed rearward of the at least one seat; wherein: an inletof the engine air intake system being disposed in the plenum forsupplying air from the plenum to the engine; and the conduit outletbeing fluidly connected to the plenum for supplying air to the engineair intake system.
 12. The vehicle of claim 11, wherein the conduitoutlet is disposed above the plenum.
 13. The vehicle of claim 11,further comprising: a heat exchanger supported by the frame; and an airdeflector disposed at least in part in the plenum, a portion of airsupplied from the conduit outlet to the plenum being deflected by theair deflector toward the heat exchanger.
 14. The vehicle of claim 11,wherein the plenum is laterally centered on the vehicle.
 15. The vehicleof claim 11, wherein the engine is disposed under the plenum.
 16. Thevehicle of claim 1, wherein: the at least one seat is two seats disposedside-by-side; each of the two seats has a headrest; and the air intakeconduit is disposed laterally between the headrests.